While many of SeaWorld's animals die young, Bubbles, who was estimated to be in her early- to mid-50s, was the oldest pilot whale in a zoological park, according to SeaWorld.

But while her life was longer than that of many of SeaWorld's marine mammals, it was just as unnatural.

Bubbles was captured from her wild family off the coast of California in 1966, according to Ceta-Base, and sent to Marineland of the Pacific, a now-closed California marine park. She lived there for more than two decades, performing tricks for an endless stream of tourists.

"It seems that Bubbles was born to be a superstar," SeaWorld wrote in a 2010 press release. "As a young 12-foot-long, 1,600-pound female pilot whale, she began her expansive career ... and was eventually given her own stadium and placed center stage. Her talent and allure made her an international superstar."

A trainer riding one of the pilot whales at SeaWorld San Diego
Flickr/mliu92

When SeaWorld purchased Marineland in 1987, it transferred Bubbles to SeaWorld San Diego. She would spend another 30 years at SeaWorld, performing regularly with SeaWorld's trained whales and dolphins.

"Bubbles had been a member of the SeaWorld family for nearly 30 years," SeaWorld said in Friday's statement. "While Bubbles will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, she has helped generations of park visitors gain a better appreciation for all animals and the ocean environment."

There's been ample evidence that the animals at SeaWorld are suffering psychologically. Just last week, video emerged of Morgan, a SeaWorld-owned wild-caught orca at Spain's Loro Parque, unnaturally dragging herself out of the water to avoid the constant attacks of her fellow orcas.